Newly elected Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) belongs to Imran Khan and no military operation can take place in the province without the consent of its leader. Afridi made the remarks during his first speech in the provincial assembly after being elected as the 30th chief minister of KP.
Afridi began his speech by expressing his unwavering loyalty to Imran Khan. He said he had nothing to lose – neither wealth nor power – and that his only commitment was to his leader and the people of the province. He warned that if Imran Khan was moved from his current location without his family’s approval, the entire country would be paralyzed.
He urged the federal government to review its Afghanistan policy, stressing that any new policy must include input from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, its people and tribal communities. He said the participation of local voices would bring positive and lasting results.
The new chief minister criticized the previous “imported government” for allowing the return of terrorism to the province. He said that when people resisted and started holding rallies, authorities accused them of spreading lies. Afridi said that despite several military operations, terrorism continues to resurface, proving that force is not a permanent solution.
Afridi made it clear that as long as he was in power, no military operations would take place in the province. He said the world was moving towards dialogue and Pakistan should do the same. Decisions made behind closed doors and for personal gain, he said, can never bring peace. Instead, he called for the provincial government, elected representatives and tribal elders to be included in all discussions about security and stability.
Expressing gratitude to Imran Khan, Afridi said the PTI founder had given dignity and conscience to the tribal people. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would remain true to Khan’s vision. “We don’t just do politics; we love it,” Afridi said. “He is not just the leader of KP or Pakistan: he is loved all over the world.”
The new chief minister said he did not come to power through political influence or family ties. “My name does not have Bhutto, Zardari or Sharif,” he said proudly. “I come from the tribal districts and people there are celebrating today. ” Afridi also thanked the PTI social media team for their hard work and support, noting that no member of his family had ever been in politics before him.
Sohail Afridi criticized those who, he said, view tribal people as unusable. He said such a mindset had prevailed for more than seven decades, exploiting the region’s resources while denying residents’ rights.
During his speech, Afridi recited a verse reflecting his frustration with the political elite and their attitude towards ordinary citizens. He also praised Ali Amin Gandapur, recognizing his efforts in helping Afghan refugees by providing them with food, shelter and support.
Sohail Afridi called murdered journalist Arshad Sharif a martyr and paid tribute to him during his speech. He then unveiled several policy plans for the province, including a solar energy project that will provide electricity to 120,000 homes. He said new border markets would open to create jobs for local residents and more comprehensive social protection programs would be introduced.
The chief minister announced that the Sehat Card scheme would be expanded to include treatment of more serious illnesses. He also promised that the government would take full responsibility for every newborn baby for the first three months of their life and provide free health care to all civil servants.
Afridi said education would remain a top priority. He pledged to get children back to school through the Insaf Taleem program, improve literacy rates and ensure free education continues across the province. He also pledged to strengthen law enforcement, invest in security and improve their ability to fight terrorism.
He highlighted plans to develop the tourism sector by opening new destinations and improving infrastructure for visitors.
When Sohail Afridi took the oath of office and approached the speaker’s dais, he placed a portrait of Imran Khan next to him – a symbolic gesture of loyalty. In his closing speech, he said he didn’t like official cars or protocol. “I will remain the same person I have always been,” he said. “The day Imran Khan asks me to resign, I will leave without hesitation.
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